Former president Jimmy Carter did not exactly say last week that George W. Bush was the worst president in US history. What he said, in an interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, was: "I think as far as the adverse impact on our nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history." That was enough, though. It launched hundreds of editorials, both irate and delighted, across the country and the world. Apparently this argument about Mr Bush's standing in the eyes of future generations is one that people want to have. Is Mr Bush the worst president in American history?

Few presidents succeed. Of the 11 since the second world war, only three - Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton - had generally successful administrations. Two - Richard Nixon and Mr Carter himself - finished as calamitous failures. Right now, the likelihood that Mr Bush will join them on the bottom rung looks reasonably high.